It’s hard enough to motivate yourself to get to the gym, let alone want to go – especially if you know you are going to run into “the workout jerk.” If you’ve ever been there, then you know exactly what I mean. In fact, there can be more than one at any given time. There are several traits a workout jerk has, and the best way to combat their overpopulation of the gym, is to know what they do and not be one!

Carry a towel – Seems simple, right? WRONG! A friend of mine, who is a personal trainer, says that about 85% of people who work out at the gym don’t carry a towel and wipe the equipment down. Most gyms have signs posted, but even personal trainers are guilty of allowing their clients to not wipe down. So, don’t be like the rest. Carry a towel, and wipe up your sweat when you’re done.

Time’s up – Treadmills and other cardio machines have time limits. Even if you think there is no one waiting in the gym, if you are on a machine that has a 20 or 30 minute time limit, guess what? You need to leave that machine after your 20 or 30 minutes are up. It’s a good idea to switch up your workout anyway, so, 20 or 30 minutes on one machine and 20 or 30 on another is just as effective, and much more polite. Don’t be a machine hog.

Grunt no more – Grunting, groaning, barking, or screaming in agony at the top of your lungs is a no-no. So is singing along with music. This is a public place; treat it as such. Since none of us are billionaires with our own personal gyms and trainers, we have to be here together. There is nothing worse than hearing someone “feel the burn” at an inappropriate volume, not to mention, it could be dangerous. Imagine someone lifting weights and being startled by a loud noise – that could get very messy indeed.

Gently, please – If you are lifting weights that are slightly beyond your strength capacity, using a new machine, or trying to find your weight, please, don’t bang the weights. It not only jars the senses of everyone in earshot, it wreaks havoc on the machines. Some people may think that banging and slamming weights along with grunting and groaning is macho, but, it can, in some cases, be cause for removal of membership or cause for the spray-painting of a profanity on the side of your car – as was the case for one unfortunate workout jerk from my last gym. I didn’t do it, but I was in the parking lot to enjoy the discovery.

Forgo the funk – For some individuals, body odor is a given. Yes, the gym is a place where you go to sweat, but that doesn’t mean that you need to load up on perfume, cologne or other strong-smelling toiletry to mask your body odor and kill anyone with allergies. On the flip side, if you just rolled out of bed and smell like it, don’t skunk out the gym because you think people are into your natural scent. Slap some deodorant on before you head to the gym, drink plenty of water when you are there, and shower before you leave. That’s why they have showers there, so you can do that.

Now, I am aware that I could be leaving many other workout faux pas, but these are ones that are considered the “biggies.” It’s common sense, really, and a matter of common courtesy. Remembering that the gym you attend is just as much your place as everyone else’s who has a membership. Treat the equipment and people with the same respect you want to be treated with, and, who knows, the “workout jerk” may very well become extinct.

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